Category: Mining the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 8:1

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Someone might, in reading this statement, think that Paul was “anti” knowledge. This is certainly not so. Paul does not condemn, or even minimize, the value of knowledge. Rather, he here condemns certain attitudes that can be present in those who have knowledge.

If it is not tempered by love, knowledge can cause a man to be prideful and dismissive of others. This was the case with regard to the eating of meat offered up to idols. Some knew such was acceptable to God, and as a result were dismissive of their weaker brethren who did not have that knowledge. Rather than refraining from eating, to protect their brother, they instead were willing to risk their brother’s eternal welfare as they flaunted their superior knowledge of God’s will. Such is antithetical to Christ’s cause (vs. 12-13). Love must temper our knowledge!

Philippians 2:1-4

In Philippians 4:2, the apostle admonished two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche, to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” The admonition is the only indication given in the epistle of possible problems in the church in Philippi. The church was strong, but not perfect, and the admonition to unity was timely. Such is certainly needed in our time as well.

In Philippians 2:1-4, the means of obtaining such unity is found. Paul here again exhorts the brethren to be “like-minded”, and indicates that his can be done when each esteems “others better than himself” (vs. 3). In effect, humility is the source of unity.

When people are self-willed, division results. If I want what I want, and am unable to compromise, and you are the same; then our goals will often conflict. Thus, division results.

As Christians, we should look out for the interests of our brethren — it is only then that we will all have the mind of Christ.

Mark 9:1

The chapter break here is unfortunate, as this verse belongs with the Lord’s discourse that started in 8:34.

The promise here made was two fold: 1) The kingdom would come with power; and, 2) Some of those with him as he spoke would still be alive when it came.

This simple text deals a death blow to those who claim the kingdom of Christ is yet to be established. If it hasn’t been established yet, one of two things must be true:

1. Jesus did not keep his promise to his disciples.
2. Some of Jesus disciples are alive at over 2,000 years of age.

Both assertions are untenable and obviously untrue.

While the errorist can’t reconcile this passage with his doctrine, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise is evident.

On the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection, as He promised here and in Acts 1:4-8, the kingdom arrived with power upon the immersion of the disciples in the Holy Spirit. The kingdom exists, and we who are His are citizens of it, (cf. Colossians 1:13).

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Paul here admonishes the Corinthians for being “carnal.” The word is the greek sarkikos, and means: pertaining to the flesh… by implication, unregenerate (from Strong’s).

This designation is the opposite of “spiritual”, and indicates that the flesh was winning in its conflict with the Spirit in their lives (cf. Galatians 5:17).

What was their sin? They were divided. Rather than expressing love for one another, and “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), they were “behaving like mere men.”

It is not godly to be a strife bearer and envious. To be so is antithetic to Christ’s cause. Those who are His must show their love to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Peter 2:22). One way this is done is to “all speak the same thing” and to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (cf. 1:10).

Jude 3-4

The concept of contending for the faith, while well documented scripturally as a requirement of God, is not practiced with regularity in our time. Rather, the call today is for compromise and tolerance.

It is interesting that Jude indicates in this text his desire to write “concerning our common salvation.” It is certainly a pleasant thing to relate the privileges and rewards that are ours if we are found faithful in Christ. However, Jude “found it necessary” to write instead about false teachers and their influence, to warn his readers.

Why did Jude feel compelled to do this? Because of the dangers such men present! They are deceitful in their practices, and Jude reveals that they will stand condemned for their message (cf. vs. 14-15).

Jude warns his readers to “keep yourselves” (vss. 20-21). False teachers are dangerous, and we must contend with them!

Acts 6:8-14

Stephen was one of many disciples who fearless preached the word in the face of persecution (cf. Acts 8:1-4). It cost him his life, but gained for him the crown of life (cf. Revelation 2:10).

One of the tactics of the enemies of truth is to supply just enough truth to make their lies seem believable. Satan did this in the garden when he said, “You will not surely die… you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5). Here they took the words of Jesus, twisting them to make it seem that Stephen was preaching a message that was blasphemy “against Moses and God” (vs. 11).

Jesus indeed taught a change of customs and law. However, it was not his intent to destroy, but fulfill! (cf. Matthew 5:17-20).

If we preach truth, we too will suffer the false testimony of the enemies of truth. However, we too are promised that our faithfulness will secure for us a crown of life.

Galatians 4:21-31

In our text, the apostle Paul uses the two wives of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar, as an allegory. His words, “which things are symbolic.”

The two women represent the two covenants. Hagar is the Old Covenant “from Mount Sinai”, and Sarah the New “the Jerusalem above.”

The point of the allegory is to establish that the New Covenant, like Sarah, is to be preferred. Sarah was the mother of Isaac, the child of promise. It was through this lineage that redemption came, not from Hagar and Ishmael.

In the same way redemption is found in the New Covenant, not the Old. The New Covenant of Christ is to be preferred to the Old. We are to cast off the Old, just as the scripture says, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son.” As Paul wrote, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The text reveals that God furnishes us with all needed instruction through the Scriptures.

Some have objected that the context indicates Paul was referring to the Old Testament scriptures, in that the New Testament had not yet been compiled.

This observation is true, to a point. As such, it indicates that Paul recognized the Old Testament to be of import in knowing the will of God. While we are not bound to the Old Covenant under Christ, the Old Testament scriptures do instruct and furnish us, (cf. Romans 15:4).
But, we must recognize that what Paul said of the Old Testament is true of the New Testament as well. In fact, for a man to be thoroughly furnished, he must heed all the scriptures.

The New Testament writings are scripture too, (2 Peter 1:16-21), and when we consider God’s instructions, we must not ignore what was spoken by our Lord (cf. Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4).

Romans 13:1-2

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Governments and nations have their place at God’s pleasure. They remain in power as long as God permits, and their rise and fall is determined by His will. This is clearly affirmed by Paul in his address to the Athenians (cf. Acts 17:26-28).

While a government is in power, Christians are required to submit to its laws. Contrary to common perception, Jesus did not advocate disobedience to civil authorities. This is true regardless of a governments corruptness, or antagonism toward God and His people. This is clearly established by Jesus’ instructions to his disciples to pay taxes to the Roman government (cf. Matt. 22:21).

The exception to this is the secular government’s compelling a Christian to disobey God. In such cases, we must “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The question, “Must we obey the government?”, is not determined by whether it is corrupt, but whether its laws corrupt us!